SALEM -- The deadline Salem County set for union concessions or it would move ahead with plans to privatize some jobs as a way to balance its budget has passed with no indication officials have set their plan in motion.

On Tuesday, county officials were meeting with representatives from the Communications Workers of America Local 1085 which represents those workers whose jobs are in limbo.

By mid-afternoon there was no word on any progress to reach a compromise.

County officials had said they needed unions concessions of $957,089.87 by Monday. They laid out a plan of worker givebacks they said would achieve the county's goal.

The county has received bids to outsource the county 911 dispatch center and the medical staff at the Salem County Correctional Facility, both, in Mannington Township.

Consalvos answered questions about his company through a carefully scripted appearance in which individual freeholders on the Republican-controlled board posed questions that they said had been submitted by the public.

One of the concerns raised in past meetings has been whether an outside firm would have enough experienced people who would know how to deal with an accident at the Artificial Island Nuclear Generating Station in Lower Alloways Creek Township.

Consalvos said none of the sites where IXP currently provides dispatching has a nuclear facility in its jurisdiction.

Another of many questions raised was whether the current public safety telecommunicators who work at the dispatch center would be offered jobs if IXP took over.

"We welcome as many of them that like to apply," Consalvos said without actually committing to hiring them.

Before the budget was tabled, Earl Gage, a Democrat who is running with Democrat Lee Ware for a seat on the freeholder board, delivered a message from Ware who was absent because of the death of his wife.

Gage said Ware wanted the board and public to know he would have voted against the budget.

He said Ware said it's wrong for the board to "bully and browbeat" its employees to make concessions.

"There is a humane way to do business," said Gage who had once worked as county administrator.

There are about 60 jobs at stake between the 911 center and the jail medical staff.

Those in the crowd June 1, with their comments, their signs and even T-shirts, showed they planned to campaign against any freeholder who dares to vote for privatization.

One speaker against privatization warned the board not to "cross" him. He said other freeholders had in the past and they were thrown out of office.

The 4 p.m. meeting lasted for nearly two hours and 15 minutes in the sweltering meeting room at the Old Courthouse. The standing-room-only crowd numbered about 175.

Many were union members and their supporters wearing red CWA T-shirts and carrying signs. Among them were firefighters, police and EMS crew members.

Prior to the meeting, union members and supporters rallied outside the courthouse.